Elijah responded to God's voice rather than to the wind, earthquake, and fire, and so will those for whom we pray. Yet, we tend to use calculated words (wind), force (earthquake), or passion (fire) to convince others to change, but when God gently speaks in His quiet way, what happens?

"The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon" (Psalm 29:4, 5).

It is as though God is saying, "My most effective, awesome display of My power is My gentle voice. When I speak a word to the conscience, then My power is displayed."

God's way is usually calm and quiet. Our own words, forceful efforts, and passion are nothing beside the voice of gentle silence that speaks to the conscience, convicting, convincing, and bringing new understanding.

According to a fable, the sun and storm had an argument. "I can make that man walking down there remove his coat," bragged the storm. The wind began to blow, but the harder it blew, the more closely the man wrapped his coat around himself.

Then the sun said, "Now, let me try." It began to beam warmly on the traveler. Gradually, the man loosened his wrap and finally slipped it off.

Love is more powerful than any other force, and God always speaks with love. When He speaks, His gentle whisper still breaks the cedars!

Dear Jesus, help me to allow You to speak rather than trying to convince others with my own forceful ways.

"After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper" (1 Kings 19:12).